Classes are officially running full-speed, and as class work piles up, I thought it would be nice to share my favorite study/note-taking method. It is called the Cornell Method or Cornell Style. It has drastically improved the way I study and prepare for quizzes and exams. It is one of the most efficient ways to retain information from lectures and readings. I honestly wish I started using this method earlier, so I decided I had to share this with all of you now. Here's how it works:
1.) On a sheet of lined paper, you will need to make three distinct sections. Draw a vertical line to create a left side and right side. Stop about 4-5 inches from the bottom. Then draw a horizontal line where the vertical line ends. It should look like a lopsided and upside down capital letter T if that makes sense.
2.) At the top of the paper, write the class/course information, date, and topic of the lecture or reading.
3.) On the right-hand side, this is where you will record all your actual notes from the reading or lecture. Do this while you are reading or sitting in the lecture. It may be best to leave a space in between your notes to ensure your writing is neat and legible. (It does absolutely no good to have notes you can't read or understand.)
4.) AFTER the lecture or reading is over, go back to the left-hand side and write down questions, vocabulary, and key ideas/terms. This part is important because it helps you retain the information better and longer, and you will see how questions and examples connect or relate to the material.
5.) After filling out the right-hand side and then the left-hand side, use the bottom section to summarize the lecture or reading. The best way to create an effective summary is to ask yourself,
"If I had to explain or teach this to someone who has never learned about this topic, what would I say?"
I have attached an actual photo of my notes for my ethics of art class. I love using the Cornell Method and I hope you find this post useful.
Right-hand side: Actual notes I took while reading the material
Left-hand side: Questions and key ideas I came up with AFTER I finished reading.
Bottom: Summary of the topic
(The green highlighting at the top just has the class information, the topic, and the date. Green is the color I chose for this particular class. I will do another post on the importance of color-coding/coordinating your classes)
Good luck on all your studying and class work. Please don't forget to take short study breaks and find time to relax before you get stressed out and overwhelmed. You got this! Go and be awesome!
XOXO
Chloe
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